Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,104/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 9,716 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
Nicholas Mendoza
Moved here last year, no regrets.
40 upvotes
Grace T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 51, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
30 upvotes
Arianna Carter
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
David Hernandez
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Maria W.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Asian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
24 upvotes
Savannah Morris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Clara Martin
lol so true
18 upvotes
Madeline L.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Caleb Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Downtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
15 upvotes
Colton Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Alice M.
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Carter Wilson
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
santiago_walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Hudson Mitchell
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
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